What is Voice over IP?

Voice over IP (also referred to as VoIP or Broadband Phone Service) allows you to make phone calls over your broadband connection. VoIP providers will send you a phone adapter that allows you to connect your regular phones to your broadband connection. Once you are set up, making a call with Voice over IP will be just like having a regular phone call. You will have a regular phone number and will be able to make and receive phone calls just the same.

Why would I want Voice over IP?

If you are a individual or small business, you can save significantly (up to 75%) on your long distance with Voice over IP. There is virtually no difference between Voice over IP and your regular phoneline, except the long distance plans available to you. Many of the VoIP service providers offer a flat monthly fee for unlimited long distance calls in the US and very low rates everywhere else in the world. The monthly fee is usually about as much as you would pay for your regular local phone service - somewhere between $20 and $30.

Some VoIP serivce providers also offer unlimited calling to a particular country or continent for an extra $5 to $15 per month. Companies or individuals with lots of international long distance calls, will see significant savings with a Voice over IP service. Voice over IP services are available in most countries outside of the US.

Is Voice over IP reliable?

Voice over IP has been around for many years and is quite reliable. Many large business have fully switched over their businesses to VoIP and function reliably. If you have purchased a prepaid phone card in last ten years, it is very likely that you were calling on a Voice over IP network. The local or 800 number you called patched you into a VoIP network and then connected you to the regular phone on the other side.

Who are the main Voice over IP providers?

There are many companies entering the VoIP business from large providers like Verizon with a service called VoiceWing and AT&T with a service called CallVantage to smaller (but quickly growing) companies like Vonage, Lingo, Packet8 and SunRocket. Vonage and Lingo both have been in the residential market longer than the larger providers and have more experience and a larger customer base.

They all have varying plans for residentail and small businesses, depending on your national and international long distance needs. Visit our comparison of VoIP providers page for a side-by-side chart.

Internationally, most countries have at least half a dozen VoIP providers. Besides the US, the UK and Canada have the largest number of VoIP providers, including the large telcoms.

More Resources

Visit our site on Skype and USB phones for more VoIP options including USB phones and headsets. Just remember that Skype requires your computer to make calls, while most VoIP providers provide you with a box where you can plug in your regular phone.

For more information on the Voice over IP protocal you can visit the FCC site.